It is hard to believe for people like us, who see America as one of the few most powerful countries around the world that America was once not independent. Yes, you read it correctly. The 13 American colonies were ruled by the British leaders until the late eighteenth century. They didn’t have their own laws. Congress leaders wanted to change it and thus, wrote the declaration of independence. Which was later approved by the congress and America started celebrating their Happy Independence Day.
As Independence Day is one of the biggest federal holidays, the Americans celebrate it grandiosely with a huge parade and fireworks. Every corner of American society is reflected in the parade of Happy Independence Day. After all, patriotism does not discriminate. While Washington’s constitution Avenue plays host to the beauty and innovation people there reflect freedom, they have learned to live for.
When Is Independence Day?
On the 4th of July, the United States observes a federal holiday in honor of the Declaration of Independence. This holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by delegates from the 13 colonies. Happy Independence Day 2024 USA.
Note: If the Fourth of July falls on a Sunday, the federal observed holiday is the following Monday, July 5. If the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, the observed holiday for most federal employees (but not all) is Friday, July 3.
| Year | Independence Day (U.S.) |
| 2021 | Saturday, July 4 |
| 2021 | Sunday, July 4 |
| 2022 | Monday, July 4 |
History of Independence Day
The 4th of July is Independence Day of the United States of America. The history of Independence Day for most of the countries is pathetic. If you want to know the history of American Independence in brief, you can go through this article. On 2nd July in 1776, the Continental Congress showed the courage to vote in favor of independence. After two days of this incident, delegates from the 13 colonies also adopted the Declaration of Independence.
Everything at that time was drafting through a historic document by Thomas Jefferson. From that time of 1776 to the present day, 4th July has been celebrating as the birth of American independence. Since then, American citizens are celebrating the day with pride and enthusiasm. Many also try to learn more about their history of independence on this day.
Read more: Independence Day America Speech
The Declaration of Independence Was Not Officially Signed on July 4
On April 19, 1775, during the Battles of Lexington and Concord (Mass.), the first shots were fired between colonists and British troops, starting the American Revolution. After these first military conflicts, tension between Britain and her American colonists continued to mount.
Finally, on July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted for independence from Britain.
Two days later, on July 4, the Congress approved the final draft of the Declaration of Independence, which had been written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
On July 8, the first public reading of the Declaration took place at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Later that same day, other readings occurred in Trenton, New Jersey, and Easton, Pennsylvania.
Printer John Dunlap made about 200 copies of the Declaration with the date of July 4. Known as the “Dunlap Broadsides,” these were distributed throughout the 13 colonies.
However, it wasn’t until August 2, 1776 that the Declaration was officially signed. John Hancock, president of the Congress, was the first of 56 delegates who signed this enlarged version, writing in big, bold letters.
It was on August 4, 1776, after delegates of the Continental Congress had signed the document, that The Declaration of Independence was made official.
Fourth of July Fireworks
The first fireworks were used as early as 200 BC. The tradition of setting off fireworks on the 4 of July began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, during the first organized celebration of Independence Day. Ship’s cannon fired a 13-gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: “at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated.” That same night, the Sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common.
Fourth of July Becomes a Federal Holiday
The tradition of patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees.
Over the years, the political importance of the holiday would decline, but Independence Day remained an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism.
Falling in mid-summer, the Fourth of July has since the late 19th century become a major focus of leisure activities and a common occasion for family get-togethers, often involving fireworks and outdoor barbecues. The most common symbol of the holiday is the American flag, and a common musical accompaniment is “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem of the United States.
